Is Dustin Martin the best Tiger ever? (HeraldSun)

[one-eyed]

Ando’s Shout: Is Dustin Martin the best Tiger ever?

Barry Richardson played with legendary Tigers Royce Hart, Francis Bourke, Ian Stewart and Kevin Bartlett. He never thought he’d see a better Tiger — until now.

Jon Anderson
HeraldSun
October 11, 2021

Triple Richmond premiership player Barry Richardson didn’t think he would live to see a better Tiger than the quartet he played with from 1967-74.

Royce Hart, Ian Stewart and Francis Bourke would be named at centre half-forward, centre and wing in the AFL Team of the Century, with Kevin Bartlett a five-times best and fairest (three in premiership years) and a five-time flag winner.

But Richardson, 75, who also coached the Tigers and became club president, has seen enough from Dustin Martin to rank him No. 1 in yellow and black.

“I never thought I would say that in my lifetime given I played with Royce Hart, Francis Bourke, Ian Stewart and Kevin Bartlett, but name one player in the history of the game who has consistently played better in big games than Dusty?” Richardson said.

“As great as they were, all of Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett Snr and Leigh Matthews had a few quiet finals. I’ve never seen Martin play a bad final, or even remotely near it. Probably his worst was against Collingwood in the 2018 preliminary final.

“There have been some absolute superstars in my time but not all of them have been ultimate team men like Martin. He has the vision of Ian Stewart or Greg Williams, the disposal efficiency of Gary Ablett Jr and the strength of any midfielder to have played the game. Plus he doesn’t miss when he has to kick a vital goal.”

Richardson’s views on Martin are part of a Hardie Grant book titled The Story Continues: Dustin Martin (RRP $39.99).

THE VIEWS OF THE LEGENDS

“If I picked the best six players I have ever seen, then Dustin Martin is in that group.”

- Triple Brownlow medallist Bob Skilton


“How well he’s played in three grand finals separates him from virtually anyone.”

- Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews


“He’s become so good you feel you are privileged being able to see him play.”

- Australian Football Hall of Famer Chris Judd.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/andos-shout-des-tuddenhams-special-tribute-to-melbourne-great-frank-bluey-adams/news-story/7d44c6117707f9c99cc7e281a451470e

[Andyy]

His 2017 was one of the best seasons I can remember from an individual.

Huge big stage player.

But other than that I have to say he hasn't been as dominant/consistently at such a high level as some other players like Judd over an extended period. Dusty has been very good and elite over maybe a 5ish year period. Guys like Judd did it for teife as long but not quite as high a ceiling.

I'd take Dusty though. Higher ceiling for less years but ultimately led us to the biggest successes.

[MintOnLamb]

He has been fantastic.
I wish him the very best on his road to recovery.

[mat073]

There's going to be a statue one day . Legend.

[Andyy]

There's going to be a statue one day . Legend.

I hope it's him doing a don't argue.

Has to be...

[Rampsation]

Yeah for me he has just slipped in front of Royce.

[mightytiges]

I wouldn't have Dusty ahead of KB or Royce but he's on par with them. All are and in Dusty case will be legends of our club.

KB was in the bests in all 5 GFs we won in his time. He could have ended up with one or two more Norm Smith's if they existed prior to 1979:

1967 Barrot (given BOG in the media) 26 disposals plus a goal ...................... KB 16 + 3 goals & Hart 13 + 3 goals were listed as next best.

1969 ? .................. KB most disposals (26) plus a goal.  Barrot 18 + 3 goals.

1973 ? ................. KB most disposals (27) plus a goal. Sheedy 23 + 3 goals. Hart 19 + 3 goals. Stewart 18 + 3 goals.

1974 Sheedy (given BOG in the media) with 29 disposals + 2 goals  ........ KB 27 disposals. Hart 22 + 3 goals. 

1980 Bartlett actual Norm Smith winner with 21 disposals (including one handball  ) +  7 goals.

[Diocletian]

Dusty's in the convo with Matthews, Carey & the Abletts for G.O.A.T of the entire code.....the others - as great as they were - are not....

[mightytiges]

Royce was named CHF in the AFL's Team of the Century and has Legend status in the AFL Hall of Fame.

KB was a superstar across 17 years. First as a rover when you played that position all match ever game and then later in his career as a lethal half forward. Kicked 778 goals and he was only 175cm tall. KB and Matthews are the only non-key forwards in the top 25 VFL/AFL goalkickers of all time.

There is always recent memory bias. Look at this year. Dusty gets injured and all of a sudden he's no longer worthy in the eyes of some footy media nuffers.